I suppose they never specified it was supposed to be a good user experience?

I don’t think its a matter of stowing empathy as much as it is redirecting your energy. I still empathize with those people, but I try to focus energy on my immediate life and the people around me, and thinking about how I can help and improve their lives, support them best, etc. rather than doom scrolling and despairing. Because with the people directly around me I can have a much more tangible impact. I’d like to work up to having a more systemic impact too, but I’m still figuring out that part. But I think its helpful to have a solid base to work from first, you know?

Yes the literacy rate has actually been dropping IIRC.

A damn nice house, too